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also has anyone come across the new beekeeping online auction website ? are they any good ?
While Beeno may be being a bit harsh on auction vendors, I'd suggest that
new beeks should not be thinking of buying used goods at auction.
If a newbee is buying used kit, it should ONLY be from a known, reputable source and ideally one that is able to provide some after-sales support (if not, death is the only legitimate excuse!)
"Not quite standard" kit is the curse of newbees.
And generally, beeks only get rid of stuff when it is absolutely, utterly and completely without any potential use to them.
Better to start with kit that isn't going to create puzzles of its own.
Bees provide enough.
If carpentry (even flat-pack assembly) isn't your thing, do consider a modern foam-plastic hive. Cheap, instant and the bees are very happy in them.
Once you know what you are doing, by all means hunt for the occasional bargain amongst the junk - though its better to do that physically than virtually.
Until then, remember that when the hammer goes down, everybody except the buyer thinks it sold for too much!